The Case Against Wes Bellamy

Mr. Bellamy has shown repeated disrespect for the citizens of Charlottesville in their exercise of their First Amendment rights. At a City Council Meeting held on September 5, 2017, Mr. Bellamy disparagingly spoke to David Rhodes, a citizen of Albemarle County who had attended the City Council meeting to make a public comment in support of the values of political compromise. In contravention of the rules of order, and the rules of decorum, Mr. Bellamy angrily instructed Mr. Rhodes to retrieve his hat and to “take his compromise with him.”

Mr. Bellamy has flagrantly violated the rules of order at City Council Meetings. He has interrupted meetings through the use of racially-charged salutes, including at a council meeting.

Mr. Bellamy has disregarded Va. Code § 2.2-3712 and Va. Code §15.2-1812. Specifically, Mr. Bellamy engaged in an unlawful closed meeting on August 2, 2017, at which non-members of City Council were present, which individuals were not legal advisors or City employees, but from which Mr. Bellamy excluded the public. Mr. Bellamy has also repeatedly voiced support for the destruction of, and covering of, war memorials, in contravention of state law.